Written Answers Thursday 6 November 2008

Scottish Executive

Alcohol

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much (a) was spent in 2008 and (b) is planned to be spent in 2009 on alcohol test purchasing by (i) it and (ii) police forces.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government has incurred no specific expenditure on alcohol test purchasing in 2008 nor does it anticipate doing so in 2009. It is not possible to provide costs incurred by Scottish Police Forces for mounting alcohol test purchasing programmes, because these are absorbed within operational police budgets.

Ambulance Service

Nigel Don (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Scottish Ambulance Service to enhance the service in the Braemar area following transfer of the ambulance station to Ballater.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Ambulance Service continues to work with the people of Braemar to deliver a service model that best meets the needs of that community. Most recently, options for service development were discussed with Braemar Community Council and local MSPs at a meeting on 24 October.

  In addition, discussions are progressing with Grampian Fire and Rescue about the possibility of calling on the retained Fire Service in Braemar to act as First Responders.

Bees

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether its forthcoming bee strategy will address any questions surrounding the use of insecticides.

Richard Lochhead: The Honey Bee Health Strategy commits the Scottish Government and national associations to keep under review any hazards that might have an impact on the sustainability of honey bees and this will include the use of pesticides.

  In the event of proven, significant, impacts the Scottish Government will work with relevant agencies to review and improve, as necessary, current arrangements and practices.

Central Heating Programme

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people did not proceed with a central heating installation after being informed of their personal contribution under the new capped regime.

Stewart Maxwell: Since the cap was introduced by the previous administration in January 2007, the managing agent has indicated that around 133 householders did not proceed with their central heating application, after being informed of their contribution.

  It is likely that those who cancelled could have had a system installed without making a personal contribution if they had accepted an alternative system of a different fuel choice.

Children

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the single outcome agreements that make reference to supporting families of disabled children.

Adam Ingram: Local authority single outcome agreements are available on the website of the Improvement Service at:

  http://www.improvementservice.org.uk/core-programmes/single-outcome-agreements-/.

Class Sizes

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools in the Aberdeen City Council area had class sizes of fewer than 18 in P1 to P3 during the 2007-08 school year.

Adam Ingram: Information on individual class sizes from the 2007 pupil census is published on the internet and can be found at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/PrimClassSizesSep07.

Class Sizes

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools in the Aberdeen City Council area had class sizes of fewer than 18 in P1 to P3 at the beginning of the 2008-09 school year.

Adam Ingram: Information on the size of classes is collected as at the school census date in September each year. This census information has yet to be collated for 2008 and will be published early in 2009. Details of individual school class sizes will also be available at that time on the government website using the following link:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/ClassSizeDatasets.

Crime

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, as part of its approach to reducing knife crime, whether it has ensured that where victims attending accident and emergency units are not prepared to involve the police that anonymous data on the location and time of offence is collected, collated and passed to the relevant police force or community safety partnership.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government is committed to working with the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) to tackle knife crime in Scotland. In order to prevent assault injuries we need to understand the nature and true scale of violent crime, including knife-related incidents. Injury surveillance systems can help us do so, and there are currently injury surveillance projects running in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife, with another due to begin shortly in Lanarkshire. A range of partners work together to collate anonymous data including hospital reception and nursing staff, police analysts and ambulance teams. The information gathered through this process is shared with the police to inform their tasking and coordinating meetings in an attempt to prevent future incidents. These projects will be evaluated in due course and we hope that successful lessons can be replicated in other parts of Scotland.

Economy

Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it defines sustainable economic growth and, in particular, what attention it accords to matters outwith the measurement of GDP.

John Swinney: The Government Economic Strategy sets out the Scottish Government’s definition of sustainable economic growth, which is defined as "building a dynamic and growing economy that will provide prosperity and opportunities for all, while ensuring that future generations can enjoy a better quality of life too."

  The Government Economic Strategy further defines the Scottish Government’s purpose in the targets that have been set "to track progress in boosting Scotland’s growth, productivity, population and participation, and in delivering on the desired characteristics of growth – solidarity, cohesion and sustainability." The purpose targets are further supplemented by the various national outcomes, targets and indicators set out in the National Performance Framework.

  With regards to matters outwith the measurement of GDP, an additional measures of progress steering group was set up in 2006 to review the evidence on the options for additional and improved ways of measuring progress. In concluding its work the steering group presented three recommendations on additional and improved ways of measuring progress to Scottish Government ministers in July 2008. The Scottish Government is now taking forward each of these recommendations.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued guidance to CalMac Ferries Ltd on its need to tender for any vessels it needs to secure to meet its contract obligations for the provision of services and whether the Scottish Government will publish such guidance.

Stewart Stevenson: CalMac Ferries Ltd are required to take cognizance of the procurement rules set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual which is available on the Scottish Government website and also the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/spfm/Intro.

  http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/sssi2006/2006001.htm#12.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether CalMac Ferries Ltd has powers to secure the use of vessels on a short-term or temporary basis to meet the requirements of its obligations for the provision of services without resorting to open tender.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-16547 on 6 October 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at Questions & Answers Search .

Fertility Treatment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to reduce waiting lists for fertility treatment.

Shona Robison: We have collected data from NHS boards which shows that waiting lists for this service vary significantly across the country. We are considering options to help NHS boards address this, but are aware that individual boards have invested in this service to reduce waiting lists in their areas.

Fertility Treatment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to reduce waiting times for fertility treatment.

Shona Robison: We recognise that waiting times for this service vary significantly between NHS boards, and we are currently considering ways to address this.

  We provided NHS boards with an update on eligibility criteria guidelines in March 2007. This included the recommendation that once accepted onto a treatment programme, patients should be allowed to undergo successive cycles within a reasonable timescale agreed between themselves and the clinicians providing the treatment.

Fertility Treatment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what body mass index measurement would cause a patient to be refused fertility treatment.

Shona Robison: This is not currently the subject of access criteria for infertility treatment in Scotland. As this is a clinical decision, we would expect clinicians to follow relevant clinical guidelines, for example the NICE clinical guidance on fertility.

Fertility Treatment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce a target waiting time from referral to treatment for infertility.

Shona Robison: Access to infertility services has not historically been included in waiting time targets because there were concerns about breaching patient confidentiality. We have collected data from NHS boards which shows that waiting times for this service vary significantly across the country, and we are currently considering options to address this. We are aware that individual boards have invested in this service to reduce waiting times in their areas.

Fertility Treatment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive why some NHS boards offer two cycles of fertility treatment and others offer three cycles.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government published Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services (EAGISS) in 2000 to inform NHS boards planning and provision of infertility services. These guidelines, which remain extant, recommend that those who are eligible for NHS funded IVF treatment should be offered three cycles.

Financial Services

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all statements by ministers prior to 1 September 2008 calling for greater regulation of banks and other financial institutions.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not call for "greater" regulation in any sector but rather regulation that is proportionate, transparent and targeted.

  The Scottish Government has taken the view that the most appropriate route to discuss regulation of the financial services industry in Scotland was through the Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB) which comprises industry, trade union and Scottish Government representatives. I wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in April 2008 following advice from FiSAB calling for improved communications between the tripartite authorities and Scotland. In his speech to the Global Financial Services Conference organised under the FiSAB auspices in May 2008 the First Minister called for careful deliberation and a measured response. That is still the Scottish Government’s approach.

Further and Higher Education Funding

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support is given for stem cell research in Scottish colleges or universities.

Fiona Hyslop: As part of the United Kingdom’s dual support system for research, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) distributes over £250 million per year to Scotland’s higher education institutions for research and knowledge transfer. Of that sum, around £220 million is allocated through the Main Quality Research Grant and Knowledge Transfer Grant for Scotland’s higher education institutions to use strategically. Some higher education institutions will choose to allocate a certain amount of these funds for stem cells research and development for clinical applications and commercial exploitation.

  One recent investment in stem cell research infrastructure has been made using SFC’s Strategic Research Development Grant. In May 2006, SFC invested £2 million, matched by the University of Edinburgh, in a £4 million package of support to retain and recruit world-leading stem cell scientists in order that Scotland’s acknowledged excellence in the field could be maintained as broader investment decisions were under consideration. The broader commitment was made in January 2007 when an investment of £59 million was agreed by the Scottish Executive and SFC, together with Scottish Enterprise and the University of Edinburgh, to create the Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Little France in Edinburgh.

  Research-related funding for Scottish institutions also comes from a number of other sources in the public, private and third sectors, for example, the UK Research Councils. Some Scottish Government Directorates also fund research directly. For example, the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office is currently funding four research projects on stem cells.

Housing

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what new measures it will introduce to protect homeowners against repossession.

Stewart Maxwell: We are building on the existing Mortgage to Rent scheme to develop a new Home Owners’ Support Fund, with a budget of £25 million over two years. Mortgage to Rent helps people with little or no equity to stay in their homes. A new Mortgage to Shared Equity scheme will be launched in early 2009 to help home owners who have built up a level of equity in their properties. There will be a further announcement setting out the criteria for this scheme in due course.

  We have urged the UK Government to act on the OFT’s recommendations and to legislate to protect Scottish homeowners from the risks of "sale and rent back" schemes operated by unscrupulous landlords.

  We are also launching a new awareness raising campaign for the National Debtline this month, to encourage people to take action at an early stage to address their debt problems.

  However, we will continue to keep the situation under urgent review and will take further actions as appropriate.

Housing

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been allocated to each local authority under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme, also expressed as a percentage of total funding from the programme.

Stewart Maxwell: The following table details the total planned Affordable Housing Investment Programme (AHIP) broken down by local authority area as announced in May 2008. It also includes details of other funding which are not specifically allocated to local authority area level. It should be noted that this does not include the accelerated £30 million for 2008-09, from the £100 million accelerated programme announced on 19 August 2008.

  AHIP Programme

  

Local Authority   
2008-09 AHIP Programme Allocation 
(£ Million)
% of Total AHIP Programme


Highland
27.120
5.50%


Orkney
5.033
1.02%


Shetland
2.640
0.54%


Western Isles
4.130
0.84%


Aberdeenshire
19.637
3.98%


City of Aberdeen
3.922
0.80%


Moray
6.372
1.29%


Angus
3.890
0.79%


City of Dundee
7.766
1.58%


Perth and Kinross
10.886
2.21%


Clackmannanshire
2.150
0.44%


Falkirk
3.866
0.78%


Stirling
3.476
0.71%


East Lothian
4.400
0.89%


Fife
13.133
2.66%


Midlothian
3.400
0.69%


The Scottish Borders
5.600
1.14%


West Lothian
6.600
1.34%


City of Edinburgh
36.100
7.32%


Dumfries and Galloway
9.700
1.97%


East Ayrshire
7.000
1.42%


North Ayrshire
6.640
1.35%


North Lanarkshire
14.600
2.96%


South Ayrshire
6.300
1.28%


South Lanarkshire
15.300
3.10%


Argyll and Bute
14.757
2.99%


West Dunbartonshire
7.835
1.59%


East Dunbartonshire
5.386
1.09%


Inverclyde
19.280
3.91%


Renfrewshire
12.510
2.54%


East Renfrewshire
3.271
0.66%


Glasgow
83.000
16.84%


GHA
79.300
16.09%


LIFT: Shared Equity Open Market Pilot
24.000
4.87%


Mortgage to Rent
10.000
2.03%


Other Programmes including NHP Debt Servicing
4.000
0.81%


Total
493.000
100.00%

Housing

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that homeowners in Scotland are given equivalent protection to those in England and Wales when threatened with repossession due to mortgage arrears.

Stewart Maxwell: Scottish home owners are subject to a different legal system, than those in England and Wales, but are not disadvantaged by the Scottish rules. The pre-action protocol adopted in England and Wales does not alter the borrower’s or the lender’s legal rights, and has no substantive legal effect. It does not change the way the court may dispose of a case and it does not give the court additional options.

  The Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Act 2001 provides significant protection for those at risk of repossession. Owners have the right to ask the Sheriff to give them time to pay off arrears, and lenders are also obliged to comply fully with Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations.

  The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) issued guidance on 22 October 2008 on how lenders can meet the FSA requirements for mortgage and finance code of conduct. CML guidance is illustrated by good practice examples on policies and procedures. This applies to all of their UK members.

  We have urged the UK Government to act on the OFT’s recommendations and to legislate to protect Scottish homeowners from the risks of "sale and rent back" schemes operated by unscrupulous landlords.

  However, we will continue to keep under review whether the Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Act 2001 requires any additional provisions to improve the legal protection for home owners in Scotland.

Housing

Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what onus it will place on lenders to prove that they have done everything possible to avoid repossessions when homeowners get into mortgage difficulties.

Stewart Maxwell: The Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Act 2001 provides significant protection for those at risk of repossession. Owners have the right to ask the Sheriff to give them time to pay off arrears, and lenders are also obliged to comply fully with Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations.

  On 23 October 2008, my officials met the Council of Mortgage Lenders who confirmed that their new guidance on repossession issued on 22 October applies to all of their UK members, including those in Scotland. The guidance on how lenders meet the FSA requirements emphasises that lenders should consider all alternative options to repossession when assisting home owners in mortgage difficulties.

  However, we will continue to keep the situation under urgent review and will take further actions as appropriate.

Housing

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when grant payments will be available under the care and repair scheme to be in place from April 2009.

Stewart Maxwell: Each local authority will need to establish its criteria for giving assistance using powers in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 which are expected to come into force from early 2009. It will be for each authority to decide in what, if any, circumstances, grant will be available towards the cost of repairs and improvements. Statutory guidance will encourage local authorities to broaden the range of financial and non-financial assistance for those homeowners who need help to overcome barriers to meeting their responsibility to look after their property.

  Subject to the approval of the Parliament, regulations setting out a simpler and fairer system of financial assistance for owners who need to make adaptations to their house to suit the needs of disabled occupants will come into force in April 2009.

Housing

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether grant payments under the care and repair scheme to be in place from April 2009 will be capped.

Stewart Maxwell: When devising its criteria for giving assistance using powers in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, it will be for each local authority to decide whether it gives any grants for repairs and improvements and, if so, at what level. There will be no statutory minimum or maximum grant levels as with the current system. Statutory guidance will encourage local authorities to maximise the use of other options, such as suitable lending where this is appropriate.

  Subject to the approval of the Parliament, regulations setting out a simpler and fairer system of financial assistance with house adaptations to suit the needs of a disabled person will come into force in April 2009. These regulations will prescribe a minimum grant level of 80% for essential adaptations, rising to 100% for people in receipt of specific income replacement benefits.

International Relations

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive who initiated the contact between it and the Qatar Government; what meetings have taken place, and what was discussed.

John Swinney: Scottish Development International (SDI) initiated contact with the Qatar government and has developed relationships over many years based on opportunities in trade and investment.

  A number of meetings have taken place between SDI and Scottish ministers and business organisations with strong links to the Qatar government during which potential business opportunities have been discussed.

  The Qatar government has invited the First Minister to visit Qatar to discuss the development of trade and investment links with Scotland. The First Minister is considering the invitation.

Judicial Appointments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in widening the basis of judicial appointments to include more women and people from ethnic minority groups since May 2007.

Kenny MacAskill: Since May 2007, five Senators of the College of Justice have been appointed, of whom one has been female. Seven sheriffs have been appointed in the same period, of whom two have been female. Information on the ethnic composition of recent judicial appointments is not held centrally.

  Also since May 2007, the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. Under Section 9 and Schedule 1 of the act, the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS) will be established as an advisory body not subject to the direction of ministers.

  JABS will recommend individuals for judicial appointment solely on the basis of merit and will provide advice to ministers in connection with such appointments. JABS will initially comprise members of the existing JABS, which is an advisory administrative body established under the chairmanship of Sir Neil McIntosh in 2002. The existing JABS was created to provide more open and accessible arrangements for judicial appointments in Scotland.

  In its consideration since May 2007 of women and people from minority ethnic groups appointed to judicial office, the existing JABS has established a Diversity working group, with membership including representatives from the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates. For these purposes, diversity includes consideration of women and people from minority ethnic groups. The working group’s remit included the identification of whether the diversity of the legal profession in Scotland is reflected in the diversity of applicants for judicial office. The working group identified a need for evidence on the current make-up of the eligible population for judicial appointments (and how this might change in the next few years), as well as a need to identify whether there are any actual or perceived barriers which could be inhibiting eligible candidates from applying for judicial office.

  All selection processes will continue to be based solely on merit.

Licensing

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what sanctions can be taken against managers of licensed premises and their employees who sell alcohol to individuals who are inebriated.

The Executive has supplied the following corrected answer:

Kenny MacAskill: Under section 76 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976, it is an offence for a licence-holder or his employee or agent to sell or supply in licensed premises any alcoholic liqueur to a drunken person. The maximum penalty is a fine of level 3 with the licence-holder vicariously liable for the offence and both the holder and the premises liable to disqualification.

  This provision will be replaced from 1 September 2009 by section 113 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 which provides that any responsible person who, on any relevant premises, sells alcohol to a person who is drunk commits an offence. A person guilty of such an offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been given to police officers with regard to enforcement of section 105 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

Kenny MacAskill: Guidance is available in A Practical Guide To Test Purchasing in Scotland which can be accessed on the Scottish Government website. This guidance, which draws on the experiences gained from the Scottish test purchasing pilots on tobacco and alcohol, was developed in conjunction with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPOS), the Crown Office Prosecution Fiscal Service (COPF), the Society of Chief Officers for Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS), business representatives and health interest groups and agencies.

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/10/25155751/0.

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been given to licence holders regarding section 105 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

Kenny MacAskill: Test purchasing is, of course, an enforcement tool which is available to the police to assess compliance with the licensing law and, as such, no specific guidance is available to licensees. However, the roll-out of alcohol test purchasing arrangements across Scotland has been accompanied by national and local publicity which has helped to raise awareness among licensees that the law is being more vigorously enforced and to encourage them to be more vigilant. The police and local authorities are more than willing to offer individual licensees advice and guidance to assist them in meeting their legal obligation to comply with licensing law and to take all reasonable steps to avoid underage sales.

NHS Boards

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what costs are involved in funding elections to NHS boards.

Nicola Sturgeon: The cost of any pilot elections to health boards is estimated at £2.86 million, which will be funded centrally from Health Directorates budget in 2010-11.

NHS Boards

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met NHS Lothian and what issues were discussed.

Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Government Officials meet regularly with NHS Lothian to discuss a wide range of issues.

  I carried out the Annual Review of NHS Lothian on 8 September 2008 and last met the chair of NHS Lothian at a regular monthly meeting of NHS Chairs on 27 October 2008.

NHS Equipment

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider making representations to the Royal Bank of Scotland, which is providing a £1.6 million CT scanner to NHS Lothian, to ensure equal access for all patients.

Nicola Sturgeon: This scanner will provide an additional 4,000 scans per year for NHS provision. Access to these scans will be on the same basis as all other NHS care, determined by the needs of the patient and available to all in Scotland.

NHS Hospitals

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any information on the future status of the Vale of Leven Hospital.

Nicola Sturgeon: We are committed to a long-term safe and sustainable future for the Vale of Leven Hospital.

  NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde started public consultation on its proposals for the future of the Vale on Friday 31 October. This will run until the end of January and I would encourage all interested parties to get involved in this important process.

  Any proposals for change will ultimately need to be submitted to me for consideration and a final decision.

NHS Services

Dave Thompson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers the current provision for physiotherapy services in the NHS Highland area to be adequate.

Nicola Sturgeon: It is the responsibility of NHS boards to ensure that local services are in place to meet the needs of the population they serve.

Parliamentary Questions

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that written parliamentary questions are answered by the due date.

Bruce Crawford: The Scottish Government has a process in place that aims to answer written parliamentary questions within 10 counting days (20 days during recess).

Poverty

Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of its commitment to tackling poverty and in order to facilitate maximum uptake of benefits, what measures it has taken, is taking and plans to take to encourage the provision by housing associations of dedicated welfare benefit advice for tenants.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government works with a range of intermediaries, including housing associations, to encourage and support vulnerable individuals to claim the financial assistance to which they are entitled. Housing associations are well placed to make an important contribution and they are encouraged by the availability of the Wider Role Fund for Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to take an active role in the regeneration of their local communities. One of the priority themes for the wider role fund is to make early interventions to tackle poverty and many RSLs have developed projects supported by wider role funding aimed at income maximisation and increasing the take up of welfare benefits.

  In addition, the Tackling Poverty Framework is due to be published soon and a major strand of the framework will be to maximise income. Thereafter, the Scottish Government will work with a wide range of intermediaries to encourage and support vulnerable individuals to claim the financial assistance to which they are entitled.

Poverty

Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of its commitment to tackling poverty and in order to facilitate maximum uptake of benefits, what measures it has taken, is taking and plans to take to encourage the provision by local authorities of dedicated welfare benefit advice for citizens.

Stewart Maxwell: We are jointly funding a pilot with DWP through Age Concern Scotland to encourage older people to maximise the benefits to which they are entitled in the East End of Glasgow and the area around Macduff in Aberdeenshire. Free benefit checks are given through the Warm Deal Programme. The Tackling Poverty Framework is due to be published soon and a major strand of that will be to maximise income. Thereafter, we intend to work with a range of intermediaries, such as local authorities, to encourage and support vulnerable individuals to claim the financial assistance to which they are entitled.

Prison Service

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop alternatives to custody for women offenders to counter the unprecedented intake of women to HM Prison Cornton Vale.

Kenny MacAskill: This government is committed to radical action to end the cycle of offending and re-offending. Prison will always remain the right place for those who commit serious crimes and present a risk to our communities. But tough community penalties delivered swiftly and consistently are more effective in dealing with those whose offences are of a less serious nature.

  We know that custody is often not the most appropriate option for women offenders. The Community Justice Authorities have identified women as a priority group and this is reflected in schemes such as diversion from prosecution and supervised bail. We are spending over £600,000 per year on piloting Drug Treatment and Testing Orders for all lower tariff offenders including women and have increased spending on supervised bail by over 40%. Additional funding of £190,000 per year has been made available to the South West Community Justice Authority for piloting an innovative approach making use of mentors/link workers for adult female offenders given a community sentence.

Prison Service

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that a prison will not be built in the Renfrewshire Council area.

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that no funding will be provided to the Scottish Prison Service to build a prison in the Renfrewshire Council area.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-17221 on 5 November 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at Questions & Answers Search.

Rail Services

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many rail services connect Carstairs and Edinburgh each day.

Stewart Stevenson: Five direct services covering both directions currently connect Carstairs and Edinburgh each weekday. There are five additional journey opportunities provided by services connecting Carstairs with either Motherwell or Glasgow Central which enable connection with services to and from Edinburgh.

Rail Services

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many rail services stop at both Haymarket and Edinburgh Waverley each day.

Stewart Stevenson: Approximately 250 passenger services in each direction stop at both Haymarket and Edinburgh Waverley on a weekday.

Rail Services

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which bodies or organisations are responsible for the timetabling of rail services between Carstairs and Edinburgh.

Stewart Stevenson: Network Rail is responsible for compiling the National Rail Timetable and running the timetable process which balances the timetable bids from different train operators. Transport Scotland specifies the minimum service to be operated by First ScotRail. The Department for Transport specifies the minimum service to be operated by cross-border franchised train operating companies. Train companies may elect to run extra services in addition to the minimum specified level.

Renewable Energy

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many consented renewable energy projects in the north of Scotland are currently awaiting connection to the grid.

Jim Mather: There are 13 consented renewable energy projects awaiting connection to the grid in the north of Scotland, with a total capacity of 451 megawatts.

Road Accidents

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many fatal accidents there have been on the A9 between Perth and Inverness in each year since 1985.

Stewart Stevenson: The number of fatal accidents on the A9 between Perth (Inveralmond Roundabout) and Inverness (Longman Roundabout) in each year since 1985 is shown in the following table:

  

Year
Number of Fatal Accidents


1985
7


1986
5


1987
8


1988
10


1989
9


1990
11


1991
12


1992
1


1993
3


1994
10


1995
4


1996
7


1997
4


1998
7


1999
6


2000
7


2001
8


2002
3


2003
5


2004
5


2005
1


2006
7


2007
7


2008*
5



  Note: *2008 Figures are from 1 January to 29 October.

  The figures quoted may differ slightly from those published elsewhere because they were extracted on a different date and the database may have changed between the two dates, for example because of late returns or corrections to earlier returns.

Road Accidents

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been injured in vehicle accidents on the A9 between Perth and Inverness in each year since 1985.

Stewart Stevenson: The number of people injured on the A9 between Perth (Inveralmond Roundabout) and Inverness (Longman Roundabout) in each year since 1985 is shown in the following table:

  

Year
Number of Casualties


1985
166


1986
133


1987
94


1988
172


1989
165


1990
169


1991
150


1992
98


1993
101


1994
107


1995
84


1996
119


1997
97


1998
115


1999
112


2000
130


2001
94


2002
87


2003
118


2004
111


2005
97


2006
91


2007
114


2008*
62



  Note: *2008 Figures are from 1 January to 31 July.

  The figures quoted may differ slightly from those published elsewhere because they were extracted on a different date and the database may have changed between the two dates, for example because of late returns or corrections to earlier returns.

Road Accidents

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many road fatalities there were in 2007-08 and how this compares with the previous three years.

Stewart Stevenson: The following table shows the number of casualties involved in injury accidents who were killed in the years 2004 to 2007. Data for 2008 are still being collected and will not be available until early next year.

  

Year
Casualties Killed in Road Accidents


2004
308


2005
286


2006
314


2007
281



  Source: Scottish Government (STATS 19 return).

School Leavers

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of evidence of (a) a higher proportion of female than male school leavers entering higher and further education and (b) a higher proportion of male than female school leavers being unemployed, what plans it has to improve the quality of careers advice in schools to address this gender disparity.

Fiona Hyslop: Curriculum for Excellence will offer better outcomes for all young people in Scotland, regardless of their gender, by providing a coherent, more flexible and enriched curriculum from three to 18 firmly focused on the needs of children and young people.

  It will provide an opportunity to embed career planning within the curriculum enabling young people to develop the skills they will need for learning, life and work. Skills Development Scotland is working with local authorities and schools to provide high-quality career advice for all young people.

Schools

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to build greater links between schools and local sports clubs and governing bodies.

Maureen Watt: Over the last four years Active Schools, funded by the Scottish Government, has been instrumental in providing young people with a wide range of sporting opportunities which have introduced many to new activities and stimulated their interest in and commitment to, sport. Active Schools is now focusing on developing links between schools, local sports development programmes, local sports clubs and where appropriate sports governing bodies, to ensure that young people can develop their sporting interests outwith school.

Scottish Government Staff

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to the use of fixed-term contracts for its senior officials.

John Swinney: Fixed-term employment contracts, normally for no more than four years, are used from time to time for appointments to the Senior Civil Service in line with business needs. They allow for people to be recruited to posts that are expected to last for a defined period and/or where there is a specialised business need.

Skills Strategy

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the debate on the skills strategy on 22 May 2008 ( Official Report c. 8841), when it will bring forward a revised skills strategy containing detailed information about the level at which its 50,000 training places are being set, its targets for apprenticeships and the performance indicators used to measure success.

Fiona Hyslop: The skills strategy update is currently being prepared and will be available early in the New Year.

St Andrew's Day

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to celebrate St Andrew’s Day 2008.

Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government has committed up to £434,000 to support St Andrew’s Day activity all across Scotland, including sponsorship of public events in Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Glasgow, Stirling, St Andrews and Blairgowrie, as well as delivering the St Andrew’s Day celebrations in Edinburgh. The member will be aware that on 31 October 2008 I launched an ambitious programme of events planned in cities and towns across the country with the flagship event, the St Andrew’s DO, taking place right in the heart of Edinburgh. Full details of St Andrew’s Day activities taking place at home and overseas are at www.scotland.org .

Substance Misuse

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, given the success of ASSIST in Wales in preventing early uptake of smoking, whether the Scottish Executive will consider rolling out the Cannabis and Smoking Education (CASE) programme without introducing a randomised controlled trial if the University of Glasgow evaluation of the CASE pilot in Lanarkshire is positive.

Fiona Hyslop: The current reform of the education system through Curriculum for Excellence will play a significant role in educating young people about tobacco, alcohol and drugs, through promoting resilience, confidence, independent thinking and positive attitudes. It will also enhance young people’s knowledge, skills and understanding of substance misuse as part of education around health and well-being.

  The ASSIST project has evaluated well as an effective approach to how peer education can contribute to wider substance misuse education. The University of Glasgow is researching the Cannabis and Smoking Education (CASE) study and the feasibility study is expected to report next year.

  It is for local authorities and schools to determine how best to meet the needs of young people in their community and what role the CASE programme might have in supporting a comprehensive programme of personal and social education.

Sustainable Development

Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it took before and has taken since May 2007 to "review the evidence on the options for additional and improved ways of measuring progress, and report by the end of 2006", as set out in paragraph 14.18 of Choosing our future: Scotland’s sustainable development strategy , and whether it is undertaking any work to improve the means by which it measures sustainable economic growth.

Michael Russell: An Additional Measures of Progress Steering Group was set up in 2006 to review the evidence on the options for additional and improved ways of measuring progress. In concluding its work the Steering Group presented three recommendations on additional and improved ways of measuring progress to Scottish Government ministers in July 2008, full details at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/SustainableDevelopment/measuring-progress/additional-measures.

  The Scottish Government is now taking forward each of these recommendations.

  The key characteristics of sustainable economic growth are measured through the government’s purpose targets set out in Scotland Performs. The purpose targets are further supplemented by the various national outcomes, targets and indicators set out in the National Performance Framework.

Teachers

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers who retired in 2008 have still to receive the result of their applications for a pension and lump sum under the Teachers’ Superannuation (Scotland) scheme.

John Swinney: As of 4 November, 84 of the 2,794 teachers who have retired in 2008 have still to receive their lump sum. All of these applications were either received after the prescribed notification date or contained erroneous information. All are being processed urgently.

Teachers

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for teachers who retired in 2008 to receive the result of their applications for a pension and lump sum under the Teachers’ Superannuation (Scotland) scheme.

John Swinney: The agency’s target, where it receives correct information from employing authorities and teachers within the prescribed notification period, is to ensure that 98% of teachers receive their lump sum within one week of their retrial date. That target has been exceeded in 2008.